By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas appeals court has overturned the money laundering conviction of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
The Texas 3rd Court of Appeals said in a 2-1 ruling today that DeLay had been acquitted. DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison, but his sentence was on hold while his case made its way through the appellate process.
DeLay's attorney, Brian Wice, told The Associated Press that the Republican was "ecstatic" and gratified by the ruling.
DeLay was found guilty in November 2010 of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering for helping illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.
In today's ruling, the judges wrote "we reverse the judgments of the trial court and render judgments of acquittal."